Politics
2027: PDP govs, Obi, NNPP mull alliance to stop Tinubu
The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, confirmed the development after a closed-door meeting with Obi at the Bauchi Government House on Thursday.
He expressed his readiness to work with the former LP presidential candidate to give the country purposeful leadership.
The Bauchi meeting comes a few days after a former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, vowed to mobilise opposition figures towards unseating Tinubu in the 2027 election.
El-Rufai stated this on Monday after switching to the Social Democratic Party from the APC.
“I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and by-elections,” El-Rufai stated.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting with the ex-presidential candidate, the Bauchi governor said he and the PDP respected and admired Obi’s political style.
“We have a lot of respect and admiration for him because of his style of politics, his statesmanship, his versatility, his deep knowledge of the economy, and his understanding of the country. Of course, he also has a clear vision of where politics and politicians should be in terms of promoting good governance, impacting the people, and uniting the country,” he said.
Mohammed emphasised that it would be a delight to work with the former Anambra State governor, adding that they had earlier met on the way forward.
“It is a delight to work with him and listen to him. His deep knowledge, statistics and so on. And we in the PDP, as chairman of my colleagues, we have always admired him and we have always shown interest because, behind the scenes, I have been meeting with him.
“This is not the first time we met. In fact, I met him in Abuja, and I was going to meet him. But out of his normal humility, he decided to come here and we’ve discussed so many issues.
“We discussed step-by-step challenges like the challenges in Rivers State. And I feel highly appreciative of what he is doing as a leader of the opposition. Because whether we like it or not, he is the leader of the opposition now in Nigeria.”
Speaking on his plans, the governor noted, “I want to say at this level, not to make some of those doubting Thomases and curious minds to pre-empt what we are doing, that myself as a person, I am ready to work with Peter Obi.
“And to make sure we come together, close ranks, and bring good governance to the country. We will give a vibrant opposition, with knowledge, with timelines, with vision in such a manner that we would rescue and recover our country from the mediocre parading themselves as leaders.”
The former Federal Capital Territory minister said the time had come for the opposition to work together to achieve their objectives.
“Definitely, the time has come when we must step out and do things with sincerity and focus. I think our coming together is a message and the message is going to resonate because all our colleague governors are behind this kind of journey because it’s a transcendental one,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Obi explained that he was consulting with Mohammed “as a critical person in Nigerian politics.”
He said the situation in Nigeria necessitated him to visit the governor to discuss the future of the country, hinting that more such meetings would be held.
“So, it’s just a consultation and discussion meeting that will continue to go on as we talk about the future of this country. All of you are aware of where we are today, what is happening, our country and everything.
“And if we have to discuss that, we have to discuss issues happening in the North. Like I have told the governor today, that the North is a critical component if we are going to get it right in this country.”
Obi further stated, “When people talk about the criminality in Nigeria, especially when people talk about the North, I said no, there’s poverty in Nigeria. You have to deal with the issue of poverty. Until you solve poverty, you can’t solve criminality.”
He said the government needed to invest in critical areas such as education and agriculture to lift Nigerians out of poverty and address criminality.
“But as you can see in the political space now, we’re not discussing all this. What we are discussing in political space are budget padding, and sexual harassment, whereas our people are hungry. We need to discuss hunger, we need to discuss poverty, we need to discuss education and health,” he added.
Obi revealed that the Thursday meeting was a precursor to other meetings with Mohammed as they planned to engage further about the country’s future.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai has disclosed that he had the consent of former President Muhammadu Buhari to dump the APC.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa service, the ex-minister stated, “I left the APC with his full knowledge. I visited him on a Friday and informed him of my decision to leave the party because I was involved and consulted with him on all my matters.”
He recalled how as governor, he submitted the list of his commissioner-nominees to Buhari to screen them and see if any of them had ever insulted him (Buhari).
“After going through the list, he nodded his approval and offered prayers. I consult with him in all I do,” he added.
El-Rufai claimed he knew individuals who paid for ministerial appointments in Tinubu’s cabinet.
“Did I seek to be a minister? I know people who paid to get ministerial appointments,” El-Rufai responded when asked whether he anticipated that people might believe he left the APC because he was not appointed as a minister.
He stated that it would have been easier for him if the party had sacked him, as that would have saved him from the stress of explaining his exit.
The former FCT minister insisted he did not leave the APC, arguing that the party abandoned him and its original ideals.
He said those who worked for the party were not recognised or rewarded.
Asked if he had any political godfather, El-Rufai said, “I have those I consult with in everything I do. I inform them of anything I intend to do, and when they demand that I keep off, I do. My first godfather is Muhammadu Buhari. For the rest, I will not mention them because if I do, they’ll be pressured.”
Against the backdrop of insinuation that former President Buhari gave El-Rufai the nod to leave the party, the former president, on Thursday, stressed that he remained loyal to the APC and would keep working to “popularise” the party.
“I am an APC member, and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means,” Buhari declared in a statement signed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.
When asked if he regretted supporting Tinubu, the ex-Kaduna governor replied, “I haven’t regretted it, but I have been taken by surprise.
“Why I don’t regret supporting him is that some Yoruba leaders from the southwest had visited Kaduna and informed me that the Muslims of their region were being politically marginalised. That was the first reason I supported Tinubu.
“The second reason is this: We agreed that the 2023 presidential seat would be zoned to the Southern part of Nigeria for fairness, balance and justice in the country.”
The NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, confirmed that the party and its 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, were engaging in consultations with other parties to unseat Tinubu.
Johnson stated that the party was being cautious in its coalition efforts, noting that announcements would be made at the appropriate time.
He stated, “Well, as you know, the electoral space is very wide, just like Nigeria. What I can confirm is that the party, and even the leader, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, have been in talks with various people, and groups and are still reaching out and being reached out to by different interest groups in the country.
“It is clear to most of us in the opposition that the people of the country are suffering, and that we must come together in one way or another to ensure that we end this mismanagement of our economy and other issues.
“Now, what I am saying is that not all opposition parties may be in the same vehicle, but we are working to ensure that a critical mass of opposition politicians in the country will be in one vehicle and will provide leadership for others who will come around to ensure that, politically speaking, we defeat the incumbent administration.”
He noted, “I cannot say whether we will or will not see it. But I can confirm the willingness of the NNPP to talk to others. That is already happening—talking to groups, individuals, or perhaps some parties.
“But at this stage, tactically speaking, we tend not to say who we are talking with as a party. But the party itself is very strategic, making sure that its steps are circumspect in what we do.
“At the right time, you will receive announcements and updates. But we are in the loop, we are consulting and being consulted.”
The Coalition of United Political Parties also confirmed the move by the opposition political parties to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The National Secretary of CUPP, Peter Ahmeh, stated that only a proven southern candidate could defeat Tinubu.
But the Peoples Democratic Party described its platform as the strongest to host other opposition parties in the fight for power against the ruling APC.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also repeatedly stressed the importance of unity among the opposition parties.
On March 8, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate revealed that he was working to unite opposition parties in a coalition to remove the APC from power.
“Atiku is advocating a robust coalition that would accommodate all opposition parties – the PDP inclusive,” he stated in a statement by his media aide.
In an interview, the CUPP scribe confirmed that consultations regarding a coalition were ongoing but added that an agreement had yet to be reached on the chosen platform.
He stated, “Yes, consultations and conversations about a coalition of opposition political parties to defeat Tinubu in 2027 are ongoing.
“The opposition parties need to come together, and they must also take into consideration that there is a quiet agreement between the South and the North that power shall continue to rotate.
“I am very sure 100 per cent that if a northern candidate appears in this coalition, Tinubu will win the election before noon. So, the South should be allowed to spend eight years and they should also consider other candidates from other parts.
“We have to look at candidates with records. We must also make sure that the parties come together for the benefit of the masses, especially the suffering masses of this country.”
The CUPP secretary, who identified Obi as the only southern candidate capable of defeating Tinubu, urged the northerners involved in the coalition discussions to select credible running mates from their region.
He continued, “It was a personal decision for El-Rufa’i to join the SDP, which is within his right as a free citizen of this country. But that is not where the decision of the opposition coalition lies.
“Maybe he’s trying to bring the SDP to the table as part of the opposition coalition.
“But the issue with the 2027 election is that the opposition must take it very seriously because I know that, yes, the APC itself has been disarrayed, but it’s not something we should take for granted.
“The APC is the one that currently controls the apparatus of the state. So, the stronger the opposition, the better for the opposition to achieve this objective, the better for all in the end.
“If we have a coalition that brings in more northern leaders, it can bring in more interested people who can galvanise voters, encourage voters, and have their own voter base and support base.
“If the intent and purpose of those who are discussing the coalition today is to defeat Tinubu, they have only one choice: a southern candidate, that is Obi. So, the North should come up with a running mate.”
The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, said the opposition political parties must set aside their egos and form a coalition against the APC.
The party chieftain expressed concerns that selecting a presidential candidate might be a risky move for the coalition and urged other parties to adopt the PDP as the platform for the coalition.
He said, “There are two sides to every issue. On both sides of the screen, you have a coalition, which in itself seems like a good thing because it brings most of the key actors together on the same page.
“But the danger lies in that level of cooperation and agreement—who will settle for which role, and who will agree to step down for the sake of the desperate politicians?
“I am not against the PDP bridging the coalition, but I am against people who should only be contesting for governorship or Senate positions in their states, in the name of the coalition, yet want to run for President.
“If we can truly understand what fits us, how to address that, and align our actions accordingly, there wouldn’t be too much of a quarrel.”
He urged those leading the coalition to be honest, stressing that the PDP was open to discussions and willing to accommodate all coalition interests.
The LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the party’s National Working Committee was, however, not involved in any coalition discussions with individuals or other parties.
He described the LP as a powerful party and expressed doubts that coalition talks would be pursued by the party leadership, noting that Obi’s actions were driven by his interests.
He stated, “Our presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, can, in his capacity, mingle and discuss with like-minded individuals because it’s all about politics, and every politician is looking ahead to the next election.
“As you can see, many people are meeting each other and talking on an individual basis.
“However, on a party level, I have not seen any party, as of today, that has come forward to discuss coalition or anything merger with LP.
“Nigerian political parties are not run by individuals; they are run by a collective group of elected NWC and National Executive Committee members who sit down to decide the affairs and the next steps the party must take.
“As I speak to you now, the Labour Party has not brought up such matters in the National Working Committee. Therefore, it has not been discussed, and I doubt it will be.”
Buhari reaffirms loyalty
Former President Buhari, in a statement titled “I Am APC Member, I Like To Be Addressed As One – Buhari,” debunked notions that he was working against the party, stating that he would never abandon a party that gave him the platform to serve as Nigeria’s leader for two consecutive terms.
The statement read, “Without referring to any individual, a cast of characters, or issues, principles and ideals currently being discussed by party leaders at various levels, the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, has reiterated what he said times without number that he is member of the All Progressives Congress and would like to be addressed as a loyal member of the party.
“He says he wants to leave no one in doubt that he would never turn his back on the party that gave him two terms of office and would do whatever he can to popularise it.
“I am an APC member and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means.”
Buhari noted that at present, he had nothing but gratitude for the support that the party gave him before and during his tenure as president, which he considered as the highest honour, and would never ask for anything more.
He further stated that the pains taken by the founding fathers to establish a strong party to protect the constitution and democracy as a system of government were worthy sacrifices that should be cherished and nurtured.
By Emmanuel Igwe
ABAKALIKI, Ebonyi State — The people of Ori Agba zone in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have declared their unalloyed support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency, Chief Hon. Egah Paul Chidiebere, popularly known as Double Chief, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The declaration was made yesterday when political stakeholders and residents from Ntezi, Okpoto and Agba communities gathered at the country home of Hon. Agu Chigozie Agu, the PDP contestant for Ishielu South State Constituency and Chairman of the PDP in Ishielu Local Government Area.
The gathering provided an opportunity for stakeholders from the Ori Agba zone to express their concerns over what they described as years of inadequate representation and marginalisation of Ishielu Local Government Area in the distribution of constituency projects and other dividends of democracy.
Addressing the gathering, members of the group argued that the federal constituency, which comprises Ezza North and Ishielu Local Government Areas, should benefit from equitable political representation and development.
They particularly expressed concern that Ezza North has occupied the federal constituency seat for about 12 years and indicated their desire for Ishielu Local Government Area to have an opportunity to produce the representative.
According to the stakeholders, the issue was not about antagonising Ezza North but about ensuring fairness and rotation between the two local government areas that make up the constituency.
The group therefore rallied behind Chief Egah Paul Chidiebere, describing him as a candidate capable of providing effective representation and attracting meaningful development to the constituency.
The political gathering also witnessed a wider endorsement of the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.
The Ori Agba stakeholders said their decision to support Odii was aimed at pursuing what they described as a strategic political objective—ensuring that the people of the area secured effective representation at both the federal and state levels.
They maintained that the emergence of Odii as governor in 2027 would provide an opportunity for a new approach to governance and development in Ebonyi State.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that an Odii-led administration would promote equitable development across the state and ensure that rural communities and constituencies receive greater attention in the implementation of government programmes.
They subsequently urged voters across Ntezi, Okpoto and Agba communities to remain united and mobilise massively for the PDP candidates in the 2027 elections.
The endorsement is expected to add another dimension to the emerging political contest in the Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency, particularly as stakeholders continue to debate the principle of rotation and equitable representation between the two local government areas.
For the Ori Agba stakeholders, however, the message from the gathering was clear: they want greater political representation for Ishielu and are prepared to support candidates they believe can deliver that objective.
The group also called on PDP supporters in Ishielu and across Ebonyi State to remain committed to the party and work collectively towards its success in the 2027 general elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party have been accused of engaging in widespread vote-buying across Osun State, with agents of both parties allegedly offering voters between N10,000 and N20,000 ahead of today’s governorship election.
Unlike previous elections, the alleged vote-buying reportedly began six days before the poll.
Some voters claimed that the parties also collected the bank account details of thousands of voters about a week before the election, with plans to transfer money to them after they cast their ballots.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is being challenged by Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and nine other candidates.
A total of 1,906,390 registered voters who have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are expected to participate in the election.
Findings by our correspondents revealed that agents of both Accord and the APC allegedly began distributing cash between Monday and Tuesday.
In some cases, the alleged inducement involved the distribution of food items and cash, with beneficiaries reportedly being asked to swear oaths promising to vote for the candidate of the party providing the items.
Our correspondents also came across viral videos purportedly showing supporters of Adeleke and Oyebamiji distributing cash, salt, rice and other items while urging beneficiaries not to betray them at the polls.
Ilesa
Voters in Ilesa alleged that the APC was distributing N20,000 to voters across polling units in Ilesa East, Ilesa West and Atakunmosa East Local Government Areas.
According to some beneficiaries, the money was being distributed at the residences of designated APC chieftains in various polling units.
The voters said the alleged distribution began on Tuesday and continued until Friday.
One beneficiary, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “I collected my N20,000 at the Bonnke area of Ilesa on Wednesday. The cash was in N1,000 and N500 denominations. We had over 200 voters and it was done unit by unit. I collected mine around 11am at the bungalow belonging to one of the APC chieftains in our unit.”
A human rights activist in Ilesa, who also spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, corroborated the allegation.
“At the Coca-Cola area, people were given N20,000 each at one particular storey building. But you have to show your voter card before being paid.
“At Abiola Avenue, APC members gave N20,000 to each voter. I was there. The storey building where the money was shared belongs to an APC leader in the area,” he alleged.
At Iroye and Imo areas of Ilesa, it was further alleged that APC supporters distributed rice and an undisclosed amount of money to voters.
“I saw them. They are APC supporters. They provided money and rice, but I don’t know the exact amount they were distributing. They were cursing the beneficiaries, saying it would not be well with them if they failed to vote for AMBO after collecting the money,” a student leader in Iroye said.
It was also alleged that while the APC was offering N20,000, Accord was distributing N10,000 to voters.
At Olowu Village in Atakunmosa East LGA, Accord was reportedly distributing N10,000 and asking beneficiaries to swear an oath of allegiance. A community leader said the alleged distribution began about three weeks ago.
The community leader further claimed that Accord leaders were distributing the money openly and without apparent fear of arrest.
Other residents in Ilesa also alleged that the ruling party had begun distributing N10,000 in Ifofin, Iloro, Okesa and other parts of the city since Tuesday.
Ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, the journey of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s governorship bid is one marked by a narrow defeat, a rerun loss, a legal battle and, ultimately, a major comeback.
Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, first contested the Osun governorship election in 2018 under the Peoples Democratic Party.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola
The election produced a remarkably tight race between PDP’s Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.
At the initial count, Adeleke polled 254,698 votes, while Oyetola scored 254,345 votes, giving the PDP candidate a lead of just 353 votes.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the election inconclusive after cancelling 3,498 votes in some polling units across Ife North, Ife South and Orolu Local Government Areas.
Explaining the decision, the Returning Officer, Prof Joseph Fuwape, said the margin between the two leading candidates was lower than the number of cancelled votes.
“Since the margin between the two leading candidates was lower than the registered cancelled votes, the election had to be declared inconclusive,” Fuwape said.
INEC consequently scheduled a rerun in seven polling units.
The rerun that changed everything
The rerun was held across four local government areas on September 27, 2018.
Oyetola won the rerun, polling 1,160 votes against Adeleke’s 325 votes.
The additional votes overturned Adeleke’s initial advantage, and Oyetola was eventually declared governor-elect.
Oyetola finished with 255,505 votes, while Adeleke ended with 255,023 votes — a difference of just 482 votes.
Adeleke rejected the result and vowed to challenge it.
Speaking through his brother, Dele Adeleke, he insisted that the PDP would seek legal redress.
“Adeleke’s mandate can’t be stolen, it will be retrieved. The wish of the people will stand at the end,” he said.
The defeat did not end Adeleke’s governorship ambition.
Four years later, Adeleke returned
Adeleke returned to the race in 2022, again facing Oyetola, who was then the incumbent governor.
This time, however, the result was different.
In the July 16, 2022 governorship election, Adeleke secured 403,371 votes, defeating Oyetola, who polled 375,027 votes.
Adeleke won 17 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyetola won 13.
The result gave Adeleke a margin of 28,344 votes, a sharp contrast to the 482-vote difference that separated the two men four years earlier.
Declaring the result, the Returning Officer, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said:
“I declare Adeleke Ademola Jackson Nurudeen, on behalf of the chairman of INEC, of the PDP, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected,” Ogundipe said.
Adeleke was subsequently sworn in as governor on November 27, 2022.
The battle was not over
Oyetola and the APC challenged Adeleke’s victory at the Election Petitions Tribunal, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the election.
The legal battle lasted several months.
In January 2023, the tribunal annulled Adeleke’s victory after deducting votes it considered affected by over-voting and declared Oyetola the winner based on its recalculation.
Adeleke rejected the judgment and described it as a “miscarriage of justice”, saying the tribunal’s decision represented “an unfair interpretation against the will of majority of voters.”
He subsequently appealed the decision.
Appeal Court restores Adeleke
The Court of Appeal later overturned the tribunal’s decision and restored Adeleke as governor.
Oyetola, however, proceeded to the Supreme Court.
In March 2023, the Supreme Court upheld Adeleke’s victory, bringing the legal battle over the 2022 Osun governorship election to an end.
Now, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, Adeleke is seeking another term in office as the Accord candidate, with other candidates including APC’s Bola Oyebamiji also competing for the Osun governorship.
PUNCH
Headline
As Renewed Hope Sets Up 134,000 Polling Unit Ambassadors
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central District and Director General of South East Governors Forum Sen Ekwunife has dismissed insinuations that there is fractionalization in the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra state.
This is coming as the Anambra state chapter of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors has so far set up a total of 143,000 Polling Unit Ambassadors ahead of the 2027 Presidential election in the area.
Ekwunife who attending a meeting of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Awka contended that the party is one and ever united in it’s bid towards delivering President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in the coming election.
“No there is no division in Anambra APC and APC is one , one family, one people and the APC will win as one united family” she stated .
Ekwunife further described the Renewed Hope Ambassadors as a body of people who are determined to work for the reelection of Tinubu based on his track records of achievements so far in the South East geopolitical zone.
“The Renewed Hope Ambassador is for everybody. It is for us , for our President, for the Senators it is for Federal House of Representatives, for the State House of Assembly and for the stakeholders”
“We are here to reemphasize the need for the APC to win the coming elections like the Presidency Senatorial, Federal House of Representatives and state Assembly”
“This is because we have seen what Mr President has done for the South East and for Anambra state and Igbos ”
“We have seen what Mr President has done for Anambra, for Imo , for Abia , for Enugu and for Ebonyi state ”
“As ambassadors it is aimed at rekindling the great thing that Mr President has done for us and that is why we are here today”
“We are here to state categorically that we shall vote for our party the All Progressives Congress (APC) and for President Ahmed Bola Tinubu , top to bottom”
“I am sure that what you saw today in the morning is not the same that you saw in the afternoon in terms of infrastructural development by Mr President and we have seen renewed roads, renewed infrastructure and a renewed hope and a renewed government which is a government that is working for the people and that means that democracy is about the people, democracy is about giving the people hope and it is about seeing the infrastructure, seeing it and touching it “she said .
Speaking shortly after the meeting the state Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Chief Okey Ezenwa;
“You are aware that the Renewed Hope Ambassador in Anambra state have representation of the state local government, Wards and we have 25 man polling unit Ambassadors in every polling unit in Anambra state so that is already a viable machinery for election and we want the candidates to tap into this repository of electoral materials for there own election and this has already been put in place for the Presidential election” he said.
According to a communique issued by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Anambra state after it’s meeting and signed by the Coordinator Okey Ezenwa , the body stated ;
“All Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Anambra State are directed to make the RHA structures in their respective federal constituencies and senatorial zones available to APC candidates contesting the January 16, 2027 National Assembly elections”
“The RHA resolved to collaborate with other political groups and entities that share and support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision and agenda”
” The meeting reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of one party, one message and one mobilisation framework in advancing the Renewed Hope agenda in Anambra State”
“The meeting further called on all RHA coordinators and members across the state to remain committed, focused and united in their efforts to communicate the achievements of the Tinubu administration and mobilise support for the Renewed Hope agenda” the body said .
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
There is growing confusion in the Anambra State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over the party’s candidate for Anaocha 1 State Constituency, following a dispute between two aspirants laying claim to the party’s ticket.
The constituency, which is the immediate constituency of the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has been embroiled in controversy as the serving member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Nkechi Ogbuefi, insists that she remains the duly nominated candidate of the party for the forthcoming election.
Ogbuefi, who is the Deputy Minority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, said she participated in the party’s primary election and was duly returned and nominated as its candidate for Anaocha 1 Constituency.
She alleged that Hon. Azubuike Okoye had been parading himself as the party’s candidate despite, according to her, not purchasing the NDC nomination form, participating in the screening exercise or taking part in the party’s primary election.
“I joined Mr Peter Obi when he went to the Labour Party and also joined him when he became a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“We had our primary election and it was resolved that all serving members must be given automatic tickets. I, like other sitting members, was given my nomination form and we took part in the primary election of the party.
“After the primary election, I was returned and duly nominated as the candidate for Anaocha 1 Constituency,” she said.
Ogbuefi further alleged that Okoye, after purchasing forms in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and participating in its House of Representatives primary, had been parading himself as the NDC candidate for the State House of Assembly.
She said the matter had also been taken before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where, according to her, the NDC appeared and affirmed her as its candidate.
“Another candidate who heard that I was returned went to the Federal High Court in Abuja and, because it was an originating summons, the NDC came there to affirm me as the candidate of the party.
“The court ultimately affirmed me as the winner of the primary election of the party.
“The party also stated that at no time was Azubuike Okoye’s name submitted as a candidate. He did not purchase the form of the party, he did not take part in the screening of aspirants and he did not participate in the primary election,” she stated.
Ogbuefi further claimed that the state chairman of the NDC, Chief Ikem Uzoezie, had advised her to disregard Okoye’s claim, saying that Peter Obi personally forwarded her name to him as the party’s candidate.
Efforts to reach Uzoezie for his reaction were unsuccessful, as several calls placed to his phone were not answered. Text messages and WhatsApp messages sent to him also received no response.
However, reacting to Ogbuefi’s allegations, Okoye declined to make a definitive claim to the ticket, saying the matter would be settled when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) publishes the list of candidates submitted by the party.
He urged those involved in the dispute to remain calm, saying there was no need for individuals to engage in arguments or trade accusations on social media.
“My brother, I cannot say anything now and I cannot say I am the candidate of the party. I don’t want to join issues with those claiming to be candidates of the party in Anaocha Constituency 1 until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) publishes the list of candidates sent by the party to the Commission.
“So I want the reporters to remain calm because if I say that I am the candidate and INEC publishes another name, what sense does it make?” he said.
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